The province of Ilocos Norte on Wednesday received two modern fire trucks from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) to further boost and strengthen its firefighting capabilities.

Town mayors Rosalia Dupagen of Adams and Robella Gaspar of Carasi personally received the two 1,000-gallon capacity fire trucks from the BFP represented by Regional Director Chief Superintendent Leonida Gumanab-Rosales during a ceremonial turnover ceremony at the provincial capitol.

Ilocos Norte Gov. Matthew Joseph Manotoc and personnel of the BFP stations from the 21 towns and two cities of the province also witnessed the turnover.

Aside from the two new fire trucks equipped with personal protective equipment for firefighters, 11 more units will be delivered to Ilocos Norte as part of the modernization program of the BFP.

“This is a significant event not only in Ilocos Norte but to the whole BFP Region 1. This week, we will be receiving 11 more brand-new fire trucks for the province. It only happened this time,” said Rosales in her short speech during the initial turnover.

The BFP regional office will be training personnel from the local fire bureau on fire truck maintenance.

“Thank you Lord for this blessing,” said Gaspar, noting that for the first time, Carasi will have its own dedicated fire truck at the BFP Carasi station which is temporarily housed at the new Municipal Tourism Building.

A new BFP station in Carasi town is also expected to rise this year.

Whenever a fire broke out in Carasi in the past, local officials had to call for help from its nearby BFP station in Piddig town.

With the additional fire trucks, Manotoc urged all concerned authorities in the province to closely coordinate their efforts for a quick and efficient response to emergency calls and fire disasters.

He also enjoined local government units and the BFP to take good care of the fire trucks. (PNA)